The showrunner of House of the Dragon, Ryan Condal, has expressed his disappointment over George R.R. Martin's critique of the series' second season. The acclaimed author of the Game of Thrones saga had previously promised to delve into "everything that's gone wrong with House of the Dragon" in August 2024, a promise he fulfilled by critiquing plot elements involving Aegon and Helaena's children. Martin's concerns about the future direction of the show were detailed in a post that was later removed from his website, but not before it caught the attention of thousands of fans and HBO.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Condal shared his thoughts on Martin's criticisms, highlighting the personal impact of the strained relationship with the Game of Thrones creator. "It was disappointing," Condal stated, emphasizing his long-standing admiration for Martin and the privilege of working on the show. He acknowledged the challenges of adapting Fire & Blood for television, noting that the source material is an "incomplete history" that requires significant creative input to bring to the screen.
Condal explained the efforts he made to involve Martin in the adaptation process, describing their collaboration as "mutually fruitful" for a long time. However, he noted that as the project progressed, Martin became less willing to address practical issues. "I have to keep my practical producer hat on and my creative writer, lover-of-the-material hat on at the same time," Condal said, underscoring his responsibility to move the project forward for the sake of the crew, cast, and HBO.
The showrunner also highlighted the lengthy process of finalizing creative decisions, which can take "many months, if not years," and stressed his role in ensuring the show appeals to both Game of Thrones readers and a broader television audience. Despite the tensions, HBO and Martin continue to have several projects in development, including A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which Martin has praised as a "faithful adaptation," and potentially another Targaryen-centered spinoff.
Meanwhile, House of the Dragon has already started production on its third season, following a successful second season that received a 7/10 in our review. As the series continues to evolve, Condal remains hopeful about rekindling a harmonious relationship with Martin.
